Tag Archives: Serbia

Nephew of FrancisJoseph,emperor of Austriaandking of Hungary,Ferdinandbecameheirapparent in 1896.WhilevisitingSarajevo, he andhiswifewereassassinated by SerbiannationalistGavriloPrincip.Austriasoondeclaredwar on Serbia,promptingcountriesalliedwithAustria-Hungary—theCentralPowers—andthosealliedwithSerbia—theTripleEntente—todeclarewar on eachother,precipitatingWWI.Theassassinationwasnotthefirstattempt on hislife.Whathadhappenedearlierthatday?More…Discuss

Croatians mark this national holiday to commemorate the country‘s declaration of independence from Yugoslavia on June 25, 1991. This holiday is distinct from the country’s Independence Day on October 8, when the implementation of the declaration went into effect. Offices, businesses, and schools are closed in Croatia on Statehood Day. Wreaths are laid and candles lit at sites of fallen soldiers, including the graves of national heroes. Past celebrations have included a ceremonial line-up of military troops in the central square of the country’s capital, Zagreb, and speeches by the country’s leaders. More…Discuss

On February 15, 1804, Serbian patriot Djordje Petrovic Karadjordje led an uprising against the Turkish Ottoman Empire to gain independence. A second uprisingoccurred in 1815 and was successful; Serbia formally gained independence in 1829. In 2001, the Serbian Parliament declared February 15 a state holiday to commemorate the day that the first Serbian uprising began. A ceremony is held in Orasac to celebrate the uprising and first constitution (signed in 1835). The main celebrations include festive concerts, film and theater premiers, exhibitions, and many other events.More…Discuss

Petrov is a retired lieutenant colonel of the Soviet Air Defense Forces. In September 1983, during a tense era in US-Soviet relations, Petrov deviated from standard Soviet protocol by correctly identifying a missile attack warning as a false alarm. His decision may have prevented an erroneous retaliatory nuclear attack on the US and its allies. Investigation of the satellite warning system later confirmed that the system had malfunctioned. What happened to Petrov after the incident? More…Discuss